Executive Summary: How Criminal Case Lawyers Guide You Through the Process
What This Guide Covers
This page explains the ordinary sequence of a criminal case under the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 and the Pakistan Penal Code 1860. Our criminal case lawyers set out what the police, the prosecution and the court do at each stage, and what the accused or complainant should do in response.
Who Needs Criminal Case Lawyers
An accused person, the family of someone in custody, and a complainant whose case has stalled all need to know the stage their case has reached. Criminal case lawyers also help overseas relatives follow a case at home without missing a date or a deadline.
Fee Basis
Fees are quoted after the documents are reviewed, because work at the bail stage differs from a full trial or an appeal. Our criminal case lawyers explain the fee basis before filing anything; see consultation fees for how the first meeting is arranged.
Usual Time
Investigation, bail and trial each take their own time. A bail decision may come within days or weeks, while a trial may take months or years depending on the court and the witnesses. Criminal case lawyers can give ranges, but never a guaranteed timeline or result.
How to Start
Send the FIR, any notice under the Code, the arrest details or the latest order sheet on WhatsApp at +92 333 1127834. Our criminal case lawyers will identify the stage, the next date and the documents still needed.
Advocate-Led Since 1985
Qanoon Group advocates have practised since 1985, and about 17 advocates work across our offices. Mohsin Ali Shah, Consulting Lawyer and Chairman of Qanoon Group, reviews strategy, while our criminal case lawyers, including Zaheer Ahmed Qazi, Advocate High Court, appear in court.
Stage One: FIR Registration and What Criminal Case Lawyers Check First
Recording the FIR
A case usually begins with a First Information Report recorded under section 154 when information about a cognizable offence is given to the police. The informant is entitled to a free copy. Criminal case lawyers first check the date, the delay, the sections applied and who is named.
What the Family Should Do
Obtain a certified or police copy of the FIR at once. Where the police refuse to register a complaint, a petition before the Justice of Peace under section 22-A may follow, and our criminal case lawyers can prepare it with supporting documents.
Stage Two: Police Investigation
How Investigation Works
The investigating officer visits the scene, records statements of witnesses under section 161, collects recoveries and obtains medical or forensic reports. A witness may also record a statement before a Magistrate under section 164. Criminal case lawyers watch for gaps in this record from the start.
Joining the Investigation
An accused on bail may be asked to join the investigation, and a complainant may submit further evidence. Families should keep copies of anything handed to the police, because criminal case lawyers later compare it with the challan.
Stage Three: Arrest, Physical Remand and Judicial Custody
Production Before a Magistrate
An arrested person must be produced before a Magistrate within twenty-four hours, excluding travel time. Under section 167 the Magistrate may grant physical remand to the police, which cannot exceed fifteen days in total, or send the accused to judicial custody. Criminal case lawyers can oppose remand at this hearing.
What the Family Should Do
Find out the police station, the time of arrest and the remand date. Bring the accused person's CNIC copy and any medical record to the hearing. Do not sign statements at the police station without speaking to criminal case lawyers.
Stage Four: Bail Applications by Criminal Case Lawyers
Types of Bail
Pre-arrest bail under section 498 protects a person not yet arrested where the case appears mala fide. After arrest, bail is a right in bailable offences under section 496 and discretionary in non-bailable offences under section 497. Our criminal case lawyers file first before the trial court or Sessions Court.
If Bail Is Refused
A refused application may be renewed before the High Court and, beyond that, by petition for leave to the Supreme Court. Sureties must be ready once bail is granted, so families should arrange property or personal sureties as criminal case lawyers direct.
Stage Five: Challan and Supply of Documents
The Police Report Under Section 173
When investigation ends, the police submit a report, commonly called the challan, under section 173. An interim challan may be filed where investigation is incomplete. Criminal case lawyers study the challan closely, since it fixes the evidence the prosecution intends to rely on.
Copies for the Accused
Before trial the court supplies the accused with copies of the FIR, witness statements and documents relied on. Criminal case lawyers use this stage to apply for acquittal under section 249-A or section 265-K where the material shows no probability of conviction.
Stage Six: Framing of Charge
The court frames a formal charge stating the offence and its particulars, reads it to the accused and asks whether the accused pleads guilty or claims trial. A wrongly framed charge can be challenged, and criminal case lawyers check the charge against the FIR and challan before the plea is recorded.
Stage Seven: Prosecution Evidence and Cross-Examination with Criminal Case Lawyers
Prosecution Witnesses
The prosecution produces its witnesses, including the complainant, eyewitnesses, the investigating officer and medical witnesses, under the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order 1984. Criminal case lawyers for the defence cross-examine each witness to test contradictions, improvements and delay.
What the Family Should Do
Attend every hearing, keep a note of each date and inform the advocate at once if a witness is pressured or a summons is missed. Criminal case lawyers rely on the family for local facts that never appear in the police file.
Stage Eight: Statement Under Section 342 and Defence Evidence
After the prosecution closes, the court questions the accused under section 342 on every piece of evidence against him or her. The accused may also give evidence on oath and produce defence witnesses. Criminal case lawyers prepare the accused carefully, because answers at this stage form part of the record.
Stage Nine: Final Arguments and Judgment
Both sides then argue the case, and the court delivers a judgment of acquittal or conviction with reasons. On conviction, the court decides the sentence. Criminal case lawyers should obtain a certified copy of the judgment on the same day where possible, since appeal time runs quickly.
Stage Ten: Appeal, Revision and Suspension of Sentence — the Role of Criminal Case Lawyers
Appeal and Revision
An appeal against conviction generally lies from a Magistrate to the Court of Session and from a Court of Session to the High Court. Complainants and the State may challenge an acquittal, and a revision lies against orders causing injustice. Limitation under the Limitation Act 1908 is short, so criminal case lawyers file promptly.
Suspension of Sentence
With the appeal, the convict may apply under section 426 for suspension of sentence and release on bail pending appeal. Families should collect the judgment, the order sheet and the jail record so criminal case lawyers can file without delay.
The Criminal Case Stages at a Glance, Summarised by Criminal Case Lawyers
The table below summarises each stage, the main provision of the Code and what the family should do. For courtroom representation in the city, see our criminal defence lawyers in Karachi; for matters in other cities, see our criminal lawyers in Pakistan page.
| Stage | Main Provision | What the Family Should Do |
|---|---|---|
| FIR | Section 154 CrPC | Obtain a copy of the FIR |
| Investigation | Sections 161 and 164 CrPC | Keep copies of anything given to the police |
| Arrest and remand | Section 167 CrPC | Attend the remand hearing with the CNIC copy |
| Bail | Sections 496 to 498 CrPC | Arrange sureties and documents |
| Challan | Section 173 CrPC | Obtain copies of the challan |
| Charge and evidence | Qanun-e-Shahadat Order 1984 | Attend every hearing |
| Statement of accused | Section 342 CrPC | Prepare with the advocate |
| Appeal | Limitation Act 1908 | Collect the certified judgment at once |
Documents Criminal Case Lawyers Ask Families to Keep
A complete file makes every stage faster. Our criminal case lawyers ask families to keep the following papers together, in date order, and to share clear photographs on WhatsApp before each hearing. Overseas relatives can also follow the case through our overseas Pakistani family lawyers service.
- FIR copy and any police notices
- Arrest details and remand orders
- Bail orders and surety papers
- Challan and witness statements
- Order sheets and certified judgments
- CNIC copies and medical records
Criminal Case Lawyers: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first stage of a criminal case?
Most cases start with an FIR under section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Criminal case lawyers check the FIR first because the sections applied, the delay and the names in it shape bail and the defence.
How long can police keep an accused on physical remand?
Under section 167 the Magistrate may grant physical remand for a total period not exceeding fifteen days. Criminal case lawyers can oppose remand and ask for judicial custody instead.
What is a challan?
A challan is the police report submitted to the court under section 173 after investigation. Criminal case lawyers use it to see the evidence the prosecution relies on and to consider an acquittal application.
What happens at the framing of charge?
The court states the offence in writing, reads it to the accused and records whether the accused pleads guilty or claims trial. Criminal case lawyers check the charge before the plea, and the trial then proceeds to prosecution evidence.
What is the statement under section 342?
After the prosecution evidence, the court asks the accused to explain each piece of evidence against him or her. Criminal case lawyers prepare the accused for this, since the answers become part of the record.
Can a case end before the full trial?
Yes. Under sections 249-A and 265-K the court may acquit at any stage if the charge is groundless. Criminal case lawyers also advise whether a compoundable offence may end through a lawful compromise under section 345.
How quickly must an appeal be filed?
Limitation periods under the Limitation Act 1908 are short and run from the judgment. Criminal case lawyers advise obtaining the certified copy at once and filing without delay.
Do criminal case lawyers attend every hearing?
An advocate should attend each hearing or arrange a colleague who knows the file. Families should also attend and keep a note of dates and orders.
Can I follow my relative's case from abroad?
Yes. Documents and orders can be shared on WhatsApp, and our criminal case lawyers can update overseas relatives by video call after each hearing.
How are fees decided?
Fees are quoted after the documents are reviewed, because the stage of the case and the court involved affect the work our criminal case lawyers must do. The consultation fees page explains how the first consultation is arranged.
Related Legal Services
These pages cover connected questions that often arise alongside criminal case lawyers.
- Criminal Defence Lawyers in Karachi for Bail Advice, Trial Preparation and Criminal Proceedings
- Criminal Lawyers in Pakistan for Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi
- Family Lawyers for Overseas Pakistanis for Pakistan-Side Divorce, Khula, Custody and Marriage Records
- Consultation Fees for Our Lawyers in Pakistan
Legal Framework Behind Criminal Case Lawyers
The explanation above draws on the official framework listed here. Provincial amendments and the facts of each matter must still be checked before acting.
Publication and Legal Review
Reviewed by: Mohsin Ali Shah, Consulting Lawyer and Chairman, Qanoon Group.
Published by: Family Lawyers Pakistan, Qanoon Group.
Last updated: .
General guidance. The applicable law, local amendments and case record must be checked for your matter.